Foreign Affairs Committee on Oct. 6th, 2011

[Peter Goldring, Conservative, Edmonton East, AB]

I think it's wonderful that we're inclusive and able to allow the voting here for the people, but to take the politics out of it.... To allow the access for the voting here, I certainly think that aids and helps democratic institutions around the world, but to put the Canadian stamp of approval on a political entity here, I would certainly agree with you that it would be hugely problematic.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Goldring.

We're going to finish up with Madame Laverdière.

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to come back to my first question. Unless I am mistaken, Ms. Dubé, you have an issue with the constituents of a foreign representative being able to reside in Canada. According to you, it is a matter of national identity, social cohesion and integration. Unless I am mistaken, that is your argument.

That said, I have always had a hard time understanding Canada's position when a country like the United States, for instance, has no problem in that regard. However, the U.S. is very protective of its sovereignty and has at least as many immigrants as Canada. A country like France, which takes its sovereignty very seriously, sees no issue with this. Germany has no problem with it. I am trying to understand what makes Canada so special. Why is Canada alone in maintaining this position?

I also want to come back to the question asked by my colleague. In Tunisia's case, we are talking about a constituent assembly and not a parliament or a government.

[Roxanne Dubé]

Regarding the first point, simply put, the Canadian government feels it is in its national interest to not accept being part of a foreign electoral constituency. That is its policy. Other governments have their own policies. I would add that this issue is certainly different in a European context, for instance, where integration is very strong, and probably in the American context, where identity is perhaps different. However, I want to emphasize the fact that this is truly a Canadian policy.

As for Tunisia's specific situation, I do not want to get into any details. Let's just say that the constituent assembly we are talking about would have rather considerable powers, such as drawing up a constitution and probably passing legislation. That is very similar to the powers vested in the members of a national assembly.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Madame Ayala.

[Paulina Ayala, NDP, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

If a constituent assembly is formed, it may mean that the citizens living here for whatever reason—be they political refugees or other—will be able to participate when their country opens itself up to democracy. Some of them may decide to return to Tunisia, since that's the country they love. However, we are stopping them from doing so, and that worries me. Is there something behind that? Is Canada not trying to avoid conflicts with Tunisia's neighbours? Isn't that what's stopping us from allowing Tunisian citizens to vote so that they can have a democratic country? Afterwards, we will send the army to other conflicts. And there you have it! Let's allow the citizens to vote so they can have a democratic system. Those same citizens living here may return home because they will be happy to contribute to their country.

[Roxanne Dubé]

Mr. Chair, I really want to clear up the misunderstanding with Ms. Ayala. The Canadian government truly wants Tunisian nationals, be they here temporarily or permanently, to be able to participate in the Tunisian democratic process.

However, the Canadian government expects foreign governments to respect Canadian laws and policies in terms of their activities on Canadian soil, in the same way we respect their laws on their soil. We are trying to find a solution that will enable the Tunisian government to adjust and that will help us properly explain the purpose of the existing policy.

As I was saying earlier, this is a policy that is widely understood and applied by all other diplomatic representatives in Canada at this time and that has not been problematic.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you very much.

I know that other people want to speak, but we're out of time and a next round would be going over our time.

I want to thank the officials for being here and for that clarification.

Now we're going to end the meeting. We'll have some further discussions at a later point in time. Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.